I'm not sure where I got this book from. I thought it was a Christian book, it wasn't. In fact, I would describe the overall story as hopeless and tragic.

It is clear from the outset that the central character dies at an early age as the birth and death dates are on the front cover. Hannah Senesh was a Jew born in Hungary. She became a Zionist and was determined to help her people return to their homeland in Palestine. However, things were not quite as straight forward when war broke out and the Jews were hounded from pillar to post by Hitler.

Hannah joined an elite parachutist unit created by the British to try and rescue Hungarian Jews in Yugoslavia that were bound for the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Her mission failed....

Apparently Hannah is regarded as something of a hero in Israel due to her efforts. The sad thing is that she had requested a Hebrew Bible prior to her death but although her mother searched, she couldn't find one for her. Sadder still is the fact that there is little mention of God in this book and it is clear that Hannah sacrificed her life entirely for the benefit of the cause that she was dedicated to. This may be a noble thing to do, but I always find it sad when someone so zealous rejects the God who created and sustains their life.

The writing is choppy in places and has been taken from diaries and various witness accounts. The history was interesting, especially regarding Hitler's dealings with Hungary after the war had essentially been lost.

I wouldn't recommend this book as there is little to offer hope here. It is just a tragic story with eternal consequences. ( )